"The next generation is sure to be impacted by environmental issues of today and to avoid the perils of leaving behind a dilapidated ecological system, making concerted effort from now onwards is the need of the hour." These views were expressed by the Local Government, Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu here today at hotel park view on the occasion of 3rd National Dialogue on Himalayan Ecology organized by Dialogue Highway.Emphasizing the need to spread awareness with regard to saving the environment from disaster, Mr. Sidhu said that this awareness needs to be spread in every nook and corner of the globe and must be turned into a mass movement with active participation from the people.The minister also divulged that Punjab can be transformed with the raised awareness about environmental issues. He also gave a clarion call to the people to also make efforts at their own level too by planting more trees and ensuring that ecological balance is kept intact. He also said that the next battle in this world would be over water and other aspects related to environment.
Mr. Sidhu said that our great gurus in every religious scripture have uphold the virtues of natural forces like water, air & earth and consider them as gurus. They have always preached to conserve the natural resources and use them judiciously.Batting to make the dialogue a movement to sensitize people on the environment issues in order to have a healthy and robust society, the minister assured all help from his end and announced Rs. 5 lakh to environmental Cause every year till he serves as a minister.Earlier, in his address on the occasion the Chief Trustee Dialogue Highway Mr. Devinder Sharma while expressing grave concern over the degrading environmental scenario said that it is in Complete disarray and has been brought to the verge of destruction, water level has gone down, ecology is endangered which has lead to the breakage of the cycle of food chain. He exhorted all stakeholders to work in unison for saving the environment and as a consequence the human race.Among those present on the occasion included Director of Research Kerala University P. Indira Devi, Dinesh Marothia and others.